Novel process for preparing azetidinone compound and novel starting compound therefor

Abstract: Novel process for preparing azetidinone compound of the formula [III]: wherein R¹ is H or lower alkyl, R² and R³ combine together with the adjacent nitrogen to form heterocyclic group, and R⁴ is protected or unprotected hydroxy - substituted lower alkyl, which comprises reacting an alkanamide compound of the formula [I]: wherein R¹, R² and R³ are the same as defined above, with a compound of the formula [II]: wherein L¹ is a leaving group and R⁴ is the same as defined above, in the presence of a base, said compound [III] being useful as synthetic intermediate for 1-methylcarbapenem derivative having excellent antibacterial activity.

Description: The present invention relates to a novel process for preparing an azetidinone compound which is useful as a synthetic intermediate for a 1β-methylcarbapenem derivative having an antibacterial activity, and a novel starting compound therefor. Prior Art 1β-Methylcarbapenem derivatives have been of great interests for their excellent antibacterial activities against a wide range of microorganisms including Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, especially against Cephem-resistant bacteria, and their excellent stabilities in the human bodies. Said 1 β-methylcarbapenem derivatives have been synthesized by various processes up to now. In these processes, the azetidinone compound having a β-methyl group at the 1'-position of the 4-side chain of the formula: wherein R is a protected or unprotected hydroxy-substituted lower alkyl group, is especially important synthetic intermediate, which is prepared by removing 1'-hydrogen atom of the acetic acid moiety at the 4-position with a strong base, followed by introducing a methyl group to the product [cf. Heterocycles, 21 , 29 (1984)]. However, it is difficult to stereoselectively obtain compounds having 1'-substituent with β-configuration of the 4-side chain by this process, and therefore, various processes for preparing stereoselectively the compound having 1'-substituent with β-configuration have been reported. For example, Fuentes et al. suggest a process of reacting 4-acetoxyazetidinone compound with a specific propionimide in the presence of a complex reagent of a specific base and a Lewis acid (e.g. tin triflate-ethylpiperidine-zinc bromide, diethylboran triflate-diisopropylethylamine-zinc bromide, etc.) (cf. L.M. Fuentes et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 108 , 4675 (1986)). The similar process to Fuentes's is also reported by Nagao et al. (cf. Y. NAGAO et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 108, 4673 (1986)). Besides, there is also reported a process of reacting 4-acetoxy-azetidinone compound with propionic acid thiol ester or propionic acid ester in the presence of a complex reagent of a base and a Lewis acid (cf. C. U. Kim et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 28, 507 (1978), A. Martel et al., Can. J. Chem., 66 , 1537 (1988), and M. Endo, Can. J. Chem., 65, 2140 (1987)). However, a complex reagent of a base and a Lewis acid is essential in these processes, and there are obtained as side-products undesirable compounds having the 1'-substituent with α-configuration, and hence, the yield and purity of the desired 1'-β-compound is insufficient. Brief Description of Invention An object of the present invention is to provide a novel process for stereoselectively preparing azetidinone compound having the 1'-substituent with β-configuration which is useful as a synthetic intermediate for 1β-methylcarbapenem derivative having an antibacterial activity. Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel synthetic intermediate therefor. Detailed Description of the Invention The present inventors have intensively studied a novel process for preparing a synthetic intermediate with desired 1'-β-configuration for carbapenem antibacterial agents without the defects of the conventional processes, and finally have found that the desired 1'-β-azetidinone compound is obtained by reacting an azetidinone compound having a leaving group with an alkanamide in the presence of a specific base without using a Lewis acid which is essential in the conventional processes. That is, the present invention provides a novel process for preparing an azetidinone compound of the formula [III]: wherein R 1 is a C 1-6 alkyl group, R 2 and R 3 combine together with the adjacent nitrogen atom to form a heterocyclic group which is a member selected from the group consisting of a group of the formula: wherein X 1 is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, Y 1 is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a methylene group or an imino group substituted by a C 1-20 alkyl group or a phenyl group, and R 11 , R 12 , R 13 and R 14 are the same or different and each a hydrogen atom, a C 1-5 alkyl group, a cyano group, a (C 1-20 alkyl)oxycarbonyl group, a phenyl-(C 1-20 )alkyl group, or a phenyl group, or R 11 and R 12 combine together to form a C 2-6 alkylene chain, and simultaneously or independently, R 13 and R 14 combine together to form a C 2-6 alkylene chain; a group of the formula: wherein X is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, Y is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a protected or unprotected imino group, or a methylene group, Z 1 and Z 2 are the same or different and each a hydrogen atom, a C 1-20 alkyl group, a C 3-8 cycloalkyl group, a phenyl group, or a phenyl-(C 1-20 )alkyl group, or both combine at the end thereof to form an alkylene group having 4 to 7 carbon atoms, and Ring A is a benzene ring which may have a substituent selected from the group consisting of a halogen, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 1-6 alkoxy group and a phenyl group; and a group of the formula: wherein X, Y and Ring A are the same as defined above; and R 4 is a protected or unprotected hydroxy-substituted C 1-6 alkyl group, which comprises reacting an alkanamide of the formula [I]: wherein R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are the same as defined above, with a compound of the formula [II]: wherein L 1 is a leaving group and R 4 is the same as defined above, in the presence of a base without using a Lewis acid. The present invention also provides a novel compound of the formula [I-A]: wherein R 1 is a C 1-6 alkyl group; Ring B is a benzene ring which may have a substituent selected from the group consisting of a halogen, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 1-6 alkoxy group and a phenyl group; X is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; Y is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a protected or unprotected imino group, or a methylene group; and Z 1 and Z 2 are the same or different and each a C 1-20 alkyl group, a C 3-8 cycloalkyl group, a phenyl group, or a phenyl-(C 1-20 )alkyl group, or both combine at the end thereof to form an alkytene group having 4 to 7 carbon atoms. The group represented by R 4 is a protected or unprotected 1-hydroxyethyl group, and the protecting group for said hydroxy group may be any ones which can easily be removed by a conventional method, for example, a lower alkoxycarbonyl group, a halogeno-lower alkoxycarbonyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl-lower alkyl group (e.g. benzyl group which may optionally be substituted by nitro group or a lower alkoxy group), a tri-lower alkylsilyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl-lower alkoxycarbonyl group (e.g. benzyloxycarbonyl group which may optionally be substituted by nitro group or a lower alkoxy group), and the like. The group represented by R 4 is a protected or unprotected 1-hydroxyethyl group, and the protecting group for said hydroxy group may be any ones which can easity be removed by a conventional method, for example, a lower alkoxycarbonyl group, a halogeno-lower alkoxycarbonyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl-lower alkyl group (e.g benzyl group which may optionally be substituted by nitro group or a lower alkoxy group), a tri-lower alkylsilyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl-lower alkoxycarbonyl group (e.g. benzyloxycarbonyl group which may optionally be substituted by nitro group or a lower alkoxy group), and the like. The alkyl group for Z 1 and Z 2 includes alkyl groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably ones having 1 to 15 carbon atoms. The cycloalkyl group includes, for example, ones having 4 to 7 carbon atoms, and the aryl group includes, for example, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group. The aralkyl group includes, for example, a lower alkyl group substituted by a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group. The substituents for alkyl group, cycloalkyl group, and the substituents on the phenyl group in the aryl group or in the aralkyl group are preferably a lower alkoxy group, a halogen atom, a protected or unprotected amino group. The protecting group for amino group, or the protecting group for imino group represented by Y includes any group which is conventionally used as a protecting group in the field of Peptide Chemistry, and the examples of the protecting group are preferably a lower alkyl group, an acyl group (e.g. a lower alkanoyl group, a lower alkoxycarbonyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted phenylcarbonyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl-lower alkoxycarbonyl group). Among the starting compounds [I], the compound of the formula [I-A] is a novel compound. The compound [I-A] of the present invention is structurally quite different from the above-mentioned known compound in that the amido moiety (hereinafter referred to as "supporting group") of the compound [I-A] of the present invention is the benzene ring-condensed 6-membered heterocyclic group, while the known supporting group is the 5-membered heterocyclic groups such as thiozolidine or oxazolidine. The compounds [I-A] wherein Ring B is unsubstituted benzene ring, X and Y are both oxygen atom, Z 1 and Z 2 are a C 1-20 alkyl group; or both combine at the end thereof to form a unsubstituted alkylene group having 4 to 7 carbon atoms are more preferable. The base used in the reaction of the alkanamide compound [I] and the compound [II] to give the compound [III] includes any conventional organic and inorganic bases, but strong bases are more preferable. The preferable strong base is a base having enough basicity to make an enolate by removing hydrogen atom at α-position of the alkanamide compound [I] and the more preferable base is a base having basicity of pKb < -10. Examples of a base include an alkali metal salt or alkaline earth metal salt of amines (e.g. alkali metal bis(tri-lower alkylsilyl)amide), or an alkali metal salt or alkaline earth metal salt of alcohols, more particularly lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, potassium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, lithium diisopropylamide, sodium amide, sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, potassium t-butoxide, and the like. The reaction of the alkanamide compound [I] and the compound [II] is preferably carried out in an appropriate inert solvent such as ethers (e.g. tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, dioxane, dimethoxyethane, diisopropyl ether, etc.), aromatic hydrogen carbons (e.g. toluene, xylene, etc.), and the like, and more preferably carried out in tetrahydrofuran. The leaving group represented by L 1 in the compound [II] may be any conventional leaving group which can easily be removed during the reaction with the alkanamide compound [I], for example, an acyloxy group, a lower alkylsulfonyloxy group, an arylsulfonyloxy group, a lower alkylsulfonyl group, an arylsulfonyl group, an arylthio group, a halogen atom, and the like, and an acyloxy group is more preferable. The alkanamide compound [I] may be used in an amount of 1 to 1.5 moles, preferably 1.1 to 1.3 moles, per one mole of the compound [II]. The base may be used in an amount of 1 to 2 moles, preferable 1.2 to 1.5 moles, per one mole of the compound [II]. The reaction is usually carried out at a temperature of -80°C to 10°C, preferably at -60°C to -30°C. The alkanamide compound [I] including the novel starting compound [I-A] is prepared by reacting a compound of the formula [IV]: wherein R 2 and R 3 are the same as defined above, with a compound of the formula [V]: R 1 CH 2 COOH wherein R 1 is the same as defined above, or a reactive derivative thereof. In preparing the novel starting compound [I-A] by the above reaction, a benzene compound of the formula [IV-1]: wherein Ring B, X, Y, Z 1 and Z 2 are the same as defined above, is used as the compound [IV]. The reaction of the compound [IV] and the compound [V] is carried out in an appropriate solvent in the presence of a dehydrating agent. The dehydrating agent is preferably carbonyldiimidazole, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, N-hydroxysuccinimide, 1-hydroxybenzotriazole, and the like, and the solvent is preferably ether, methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran, acetonitrile, and the like. The reaction is carried out at a temperature of -30°C to 70°C, preferably at 0°C to 30°C. The reaction of the compound [IV] and a reactive derivative of the compound [V] is carried out in an appropriate solvent in the presence or absence of an acid acceptor. The reactive derivative is preferably an acid halide or an acid anhydride of the compound [V]. The acid acceptor includes, for example, an alkali metal hydride, an alkali metal, or an organic base such as a lower alkyl lithium compound, an aryl lithium compound, pyridine, a di-lower alkyl-aniline, a tri-lower alkylamine, etc. The solvent is preferably tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, benzene, toluene, dichloromethane, chloroform, and the like. The reaction is carried out at a temperature of -80°C to 50°C, preferably at a temperature of -20°C to 30°C. Besides, the compound [IV] can be prepared by a conventional method. Among them, the benzene compound of the formula[IV-2]: wherein Y 2 is oxygen atom, sulfur atom or an imino group which may have substituent(s), and Ring B, X, Z 1 and Z 2 are the same as defined above, is prepared by the method disclosed in Journal of the American Chemical Society, 72, 721 (1950). That is, the compound [IV-2] is prepared by condensing a compound of the formula [XIII]: wherein Ring B, X and Y 2 are the same as defined above, with a compound of the formula [XIV]: wherein Z 1 and Z 2 are the same as defined above, in the presence of an acid (e.g. p-toluenesulfonic acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.). Besides, the compound [XIII] in which X is oxygen atom and Y 2 is sulfur atom may be prepared by halogenating a compound of the formula [XV]: wherein Ring B is the same as defined above, to give a compound of the formula [XVI]: wherein X 2 is a halogen atom, and Ring B is the same as defined above, subjecting the compound [XVI] to amidation to give a compound of the formula [XVII]: wherein Ring B is the same as defined above, and then reducing the compound [XVII]. Besides, the compound [XIII] in which X is oxygen atom and Y 2 is an imino group which may have substituents(s) may be prepared by reacting a compound of the formula [XVIII]: wherein Y 3 is an imino group which may have substituent(s), and other symbols are the same as defined above, with ammonia. Besides, the compound [XIII] in which X is sulfur atom and Y 2 is sulfur atom or an imino group which may have substituent(s) may be prepared by subjecting the compound [XIII] in which X is oxygen atom and Y 2 is sulfur atom or an imino group which may have substituent(s) to thiocarbonylation. Besides, the benzene compound [IV-1] in which Y is methylene group may be prepared by reacting the compound of the formula: wherein L 3 is a halogen atom or hydroxy group, and Ring B is the same as defined above, with a compound of the formula: wherein Z 1 and Z 2 are the same as defined above, to give a compound of the formula: wherein the symbols are the same as defined above, reducing the compound to give a compound of the formula: wherein the symbols are the same as defined above, reacting the compound with a compound of the formula: wherein X is the same as defined above, and then subjecting the product to intramolecular cyclization. Examples The present invention is illustrated in more detail by the following Examples and Reference Example, but should not be construed to be limited thereto. Example 1 To a solution of 2,2-di-n-butyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-1,3-benzoxadin-4-one (13.5 g, 51.7 mmole) in methylene chloride (30 ml) are added dropwise a solution of propionyl bromide (6.05 ml, 67.2 mmole) in methylene chloride (15 ml) and a solution of pyridine (5.02 ml, 62.0 mmole) in methylene chloride (15 ml) at -20°C under nitrogen atmosphere over a period of about 30 minutes. After the addition, the reaction mixture is warmed gradually, and stirred at room temperature overnight. To the reaction mixture is added water (50 ml), and the mixture is separated. The aqueous layer is extracted with methylene chloride (50 ml), and the organic layers are combined, and washed successively with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and saturated saline solution, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography (solvent; hexane/ethyl acetate = 19 : 1) to give 2,2-di-n-butyl-3-propionyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-1,3-benzoxadin-4-one (14.8 g). Yield; 90 % M.p. 52-54°C NMR δ (CDCl 3 ): 0.65 (6H, t, J=5.0 Hz), 1.03-1.62 (11H, m), 1.94-2.44 (4H, m), 2.91 (2H, q, J=7.2 Hz), 6.91 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz), 7.07 (1H, dd, J=7.8, 7.8 Hz), 7.50 (1H, ddd, J=1.6, 8.0, 8.0 Hz), 7.94 (1H, dd, J=1.6, 8.0 Hz), IR(KBr) cm -1 : 1718, 1682, 1610, 1469, 1174 Example 2 Using solutions of spiro[2,3-dihydro-4H-1,3-benzoxadine-2,1'-cyclohexan]-4-one (30.0 g, 138 mmole) in methylene chloride (60 ml), propionyl bromide (16.1 ml, 179 mmole) in methylene chloride (30 ml) and pyridine (13.4 ml, 166 mmole) in methylene chloride (30 ml), 3-propionyl-spiro[2,3-dihydro-4H-1,3-benzoxadine-2,1'-cyclohexan]-4-one (34.7 g) is obtained in the same manner as in Example 1. Yield; 92 % M.p. 58-60°C NMR δ (CDCl 3 ): 1.20 (3H, t, J=7.4 Hz), 1.16-1.43 (2H, m), 1.55-1.81 (4H, m), 1.98-2.40 (4H, m), 2.84 (2H, q, J=7.4 Hz), 6.98 (1H, d, J=8.2 Hz), 7.10 (1H, dd, J=7.6, 7.6 Hz), 7.52 (1H, ddd, J=1.6, 7.6, 7.6 Hz), 7.95 (1H, dd, J=1.6, 8.2 Hz) IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1724, 1687, 1611, 1467, 1320, 1159 Example 3 To a solution of 2,2-di-n-butyl-3-propionyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-1,3-benzoxadin-4-one (190 mg, 0.6 mmole) in tetrahydrofuran (3 ml) is added dropwise 1M solution (0.7 ml) of sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide in tetrahydrofuran at -60°C under nitrogen atmosphere, and the mixture is stirred at the same temperature for one hour. To the mixture is added dropwise (3R,4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(1R)-1-t-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-azetidinone (143 mg, 0.5 mmole) in tetrahydrofuran (1 ml) at -50°C, and the mixture is stirred for 10 minutes. To the reaction solution is added 0.1M phosphate buffer (pH 7.0, 10 ml), and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate (10 ml). The buffer layer is extracted with ethyl acetate (5 ml), and the organic layers are combined, washed with water, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography (solvent; hexane/ethyl acetate = 20:1 to 4:1) to give 3-{(2R)-2-[(3S,4R)-3-[(1R)-1-t-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]-propionyl}-2,2-di-n-butyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-1,3-benzoxadin-4-one (237 mg). Yield; 87 % M.p. 100-102°C β: α = 100:0 (HPLC) NMR δ (CDCl 3 ): 0.07 (9H, s), 0.78-1.02 (12H, m), 1.10-1.58 (11H, m), 1.92-2.44 (4H, m), 3.13-3.20 (1H, m), 3.70-3.82 (1H, m), 4.07-4.24 (2H, m), 5.97 (1H, s), 6.92 (1H, d, J=8.1 Hz), 7.09 (1H, dd, J=7.4, 7.4 Hz), 7.53 (1H, ddd, J=1.6, 8.1, 8.1 Hz), 7.93 (1H, dd, J=1.6, 7.4 Hz) Example 4 3-Propionyl-spiro[2,3-dihydro-4H-1,3-benzoxadine-2,1'-cyclohexan]-4-one (164 mg, 0.6 mmole) is reacted with (3R,4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(1R)-1-t-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-azetidinone (143 mg, 0.5 mmole) in the same manner as Example 3 to give 3-{(2R)-2-[(3S,4R)-3-[(1R)-1-t-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]propionyl}-spiro[2,3-dihydro-4H-1,3-benzoxadin-2,1'-cyclohexan]-4-one (205 mg). Yield; 82 % M.p. 149-151°C β : α = 100:0 (HPLC) NMR δ (CDCl 3 ): 0.07 (9H, s), 0.85 (6H, s), 1.16-1.40 (5H, m), 1.50-2.40 (8H, m), 3.16-3.24 (1H, m), 3.48-3.63 (1H, m), 4.00-4.30 (2H, m), 5.95 (1H, s), 7.00 (1H, d, J=8.2 Hz), 7.11 (1H, dd, J=7.5, 7.5 Hz), 7.54 (1H, ddd, J=1.6, 7.5, 7.5 Hz), 7.93 (1H, dd, J=1.6, 8.2 Hz) Example 5 Using lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide instead of sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide 3-{(2R)-2-[(3S,4R)-3-[(1R)-1-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy-ethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]propionyl}-2,2-di-n-butyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-1,3-benzoxadin-4-one is obtained in the same manner as in Example 3. β: α = 100:0 (HPLC) Example 6 Using lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, 3-{(2R)-2-[(35,4R)-3-[(1R)-1-t-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]propionyl}-spiro[2,3-dihydro-4H-1,3-benzoxadin-2,1'-cyclohexan]-4-one is obtained in the same manner as in Example 4. β : α = 100:0 (HPLC) Examples 7 to 18 The corresponding starting compounds and propionyl chloride are treated in the same manner as in Example 1 to give the compounds listed in Table 1. Examples 19 to 46 The corresponding starting compounds and propionyl bromide are treated in the same manner as in Example 1 to give the compounds listed in Tables 2 and 3. Examples 47 to 66 The corresponding starting compounds and (3R,4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(1R)-1-t-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-azetidinone are treated in the same manner as in Example 3 to give the compounds listed in Tables 4 and 5. Examples 67 to 80 The corresponding starting compounds and (3R,4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(1R)-1-t-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-azetidinone are treated in the same manner as in Example 3 to give the compounds listed in Tables 6 and 7. Example 81 Using sodium methylate, 3-{(2R)-2-[(3S,4R)-3-[(1R)-1-t-butyldimethyl-silyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]propionyl}-2,2-di-n-butyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-1,3-benzoxadin-4-one is obtained in the same manner as in Example 3. Reference Example 1 Dibutyl ketone (20 g), salicylamide (19.3 g) and p-toluenesulfonic acid hydrate (2.7 g) are added to toluene (300 ml), and the mixture is refluxed overnight during which the water is removed by Dean-Stark apparatus. After cooling, the reaction solution is washed, dried, and evaporated to remove the solvent. The residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography (solvent; hexane/ethyl acetate = 95:5) to give 2,2-dibutyl-4-oxo-2,3-dihydro-4H-1,3-benzoxadine (34 g) as yellow oil. Reference Example 2 (1) Thionyl chloride (12.5 ml) is added dropwise to a solution of 2,2'-dithiodibenzoic acid (25.0 g) in a mixture of toluene (1.20 ml) and dimethylformamide (0.5 ml) at room temperature. The mixture is warmed to a temperature of 70 to 80°C and then stirred at the same temperature overnight. After 20 hours, the crystals are collected by filtration to give 2,2'-dithiodibenzoyl chloride (14.9 g) as colorless crystal. M.p. 140-141°C Aqueous ammonia (20 ml) is added to a suspension of 2,2'-dithiodibenzoyl chloride (7.03 g) in dioxane (20 ml) at room temperature. The mixture is warmed to a temperature of 80 to 90°C and stirred for five hours at the same temperature. The mixture is cooled to room temperature to give 2,2'-dithiodibenzoylamide (4.8 g) as colorless crystal. M.p. 249-250°C (3) 2N Hydrochloric acid (41 ml) is added dropwise to a suspension of 2,2'-dithiodibenzoylamide (4.14 g) and zinc powders (2.5 g) in dioxane (70 ml). The mixture is warmed to a temperature of 60 to 70°C and stirred for four hours at the same temperature. The reaction mixture is poured into water (50 ml), and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate layer is washed, dried and evaporated under reduced pressure to remove the solvent. A mixture of cyclohexanone (5.64 ml) and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (1.03 g) is added to a solution of the above obtained residue in toluene, and the mixture is refluxed for 40 minutes by making use of a dehydrator of Dean Stark. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixture is condensed under reduced pressure and methanol is added thereto. The precipitates are collected by filtration to give spiro[2,3-dihydro-4H-1,3-benzothiazine-2,1'-cyclohexan]-4-one (3.05 g) as colorless crystal. M.p. 193-195°C Reference Example 3 (1) N-Methylisatic acid (10.0 g) is added gradually to water (140 ml) at room temperature and thereto is added dropwise aqueous ammonia (9.6 g). The mixture is warmed to 80°C during 45 minutes, and ethanol is added thereto until the reaction mixture becomes colorless. Then, the reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature and the precipitated crystals are collected by filtration to give 2-carbamoyl-N-methylaniline (7.11 g) as colorless crystal. M.p. 155-156°C (2) A mixture of cyclohexanone (6.9 ml) and p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (633 mg) is added to a solution of the above obtained product (5.00 g) in toluene, and the mixture is refluxed with dehydration by making use of a dehydrator of Dean Stark for one hour. After cooling to room temperature, the precipitated crystals are collected by filtration and washed with methanol to give spiro[1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinazoline-2,1'-cyclohexan]-4-one (6.32 g) as colorless crystal. M.p. 183-185°C Reference Example 4 (1) A solution of ethoxycarbonyl chloride (9.6 g) in ether (25 ml) is added dropwise to a solution of 1-(2-amino-2-methylpropyl)-4-methoxybenzene (30 g) in ether (300 ml) under ice-cooling. Then, a solution of ethoxycarbonyl chloride (9.6 g) in ether (25 ml) and a solution of sodium hydroxide (8 g) in water (50 ml) are added dropwise thereto. After addition, the mixture is stirred for one hour, and water is added thereto. The ether layer is removed therefrom and the aqueous layer is extracted with ether twice. A mixture of the ether layer and the extract is dried and evaporated to remove the solvent. The residue is purified by column chromatography to give 1-[2-(N-ethoxycarbonyl)amino-2-methylpropyl]-4-methoxybenzene (29.1 g) as an oil. NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 1.02 (6H, s), 1.32 (3H, t, J=7.5 Hz), 3.12 (2H, s), 3.72 (3H, s), 4.17 (2H, q, J=7.5 Hz), 6.70-7.10 (4H, m) (2) The above product (10 g) is added to polyphosphoric acid (100 ml) and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. Then, the mixture is gradually warmed to a temperature of 100°C and stirred at the same temperature for two hours. After cooling to room temperature, water (300 ml) is added thereto and the mixture is extracted with chloroform. The extract is dried and evaporated to remove the solvent. The residue is purified by column chromatography to give 1-oxo-3,3-dimethyl-7-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (5.43 g) as an oil. NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ 1.02 (6H, s), 3.10 (2H, s), 3.72 (3H, s), 6.90 (1H, d, J=9 Hz), 7.45 (1H, dd, J=3 Hz, 9 Hz), 7.85 (1H, d, J=3 Hz) Reference Examples 5 to 14 The corresponding starting compounds [XII] and the corresponding starting compounds [XIV] are treated in the same manner as in Reference Example 1 to give the compounds listed in Table 8. Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, the azetidinone compound [III], which is useful as a synthetic intermediate for carbapenem derivatives, is prepared by reacting the alkanamide compound [I] with the compound [II] in the presence of a base without using a Lewis acid. Especially, when the compound [I] wherein the group of the formula -N(R 2 )(R 3 ) is a group of the formula: wherein Ring B, X, Y, Z 1 and Z 2 are the same as defined, and R 1 is a C 1-6 alkyl group, especially methyl group, is used in the present process, there is stereoselectively obtained the compound of the formula [III-A]: wherein R 15 is a C 1-6 alkyl group and R 4 , Ring B, X, Y, Z 1 and Z 2 are the same as defined above, having R 1 with β-configuration. Therefore, the present invention can provide a synthetic intermediate useful for 1β-methylcarbapenem derivative having an antibacterial activity. Besides, the compound [III-A] can be converted into the compound [XII] wherein R 1 and R 4 are the same as defined above and R 5 is a hydrogen atom or an ester residue and the compound [IX] wherein a group of formula -OA is an esterified hydroxy group, and R 1 , R 4 and R 5 are the same as defined above, without activating the 4-side chain of the compound [III-A] by chemical modification, and during the reaction from the compound [III-A] to the compound [XII] and the compound [IX], the group of the formula: wherein Ring B, X, Y, Z 1 and Z 2 are the same as defined above, can easily be removed and can be recovered as the compound [IV] after the reaction, and hence, the process for preparing the compound [IX] using the compound [III-A] is extremely excellent process from practical and economical points. Moreover, the novel alkanamide compound [I-A] can easily be prepared, and in particular, the compound [I-A] wherein both X and Y are oxygen atom and Ring B is unsubstituted benzene ring is industrailly excellent reagent because it can be prepared from a commercially available salicylamide by two steps. Thus, according to the present process, the azetidinone compound [III], the azetidinonepropionic acid [VI] wherein R 1 and R 4 are the same as defined above, and the lβ-methylcarbapenem derivative (XI) wherein R 41 is a protected or unprotected hydroxy-substituted lower alkyl group, R 51 is hydrogen atom or an ester residue, and R 1 is the same as defined above, R 6 is an organic group or a salt thereof, can be industrially and advantageously prepared at low cost because it is not necessary to perform the optical resolution, to use the expensive Lewis acid, to treat the waste fluid especially, to use the alkylation method, which is difficult to be industrially carried out.

Claims: A process for preparing an azetidinone compound of the formula [III]: wherein R 1 is a C 1-6 alkyl group, R 2 and R 3 combine together with the adjacent nitrogen atom to form a heterocyclic group which is a member selected from the group consisting of a group of the formula: wherein X 1 is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, Y 1 is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a methytene group or an imino group substituted by a C 1-20 alkyl group or a phenyl group, and R 11 , R 12 , R 13 and R 14 are the same or different and each a hydrogen atom, a C 1-5 alkyl group, a cyano group, a (C 1-20 alkyl)oxycarbonyl group, a phenyl-(C 1-20 )alkyl group, or a phenyl group, or R 11 and R 12 combine together to form a C 2-6 alkylene chain, and simultaneously or independently, R 13 and R 14 combine together to form a C 2-6 alkylene chain; a group of the formula: wherein X is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, Y is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a protected or unprotected imino group, or a methylene group, Z 1 and Z 2 are the same or different and each a hydrogen atom, a C 1-20 alkyl group, a C 3-8 cycloalkyl group, a phenyl group, or a phenyl-(C 1-20 )alkyl group, or both combine at the end thereof to form an alkylene group having 4 to 7 carbon atoms, and Ring A is a benzene ring which may have a substituent selected from the group consisting of a halogen, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 1-6 alkoxy group and a phenyl group; and a group of the formula: wherein X, Y and Ring A are the same as defined above; and R 4 is a protected or unprotected hydroxy-substituted C 1-6 alkyl group, which comprises reacting an alkanamide compound of the formula [I]: wherein R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are the same as defined above, with a compound of the formula [II]: wherein L 1 is a leaving group and R 4 is the same as defined above, in the presence of a base without using a Lewis acid. A compound of the formula [I-A]: wherein R 1 is a C 1-6 alkyl group; Ring B is a benzene ring which may have a substituent selected from the group consisting of a halogen, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 1-6 alkoxy group and a phenyl group; X is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; Y is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a protected or unprotected imino group, or a methylene group; and Z 1 and Z 2 are the same or different and each a C 1-20 alkyl group, a C 3-8 cycloalkyl group, a phenyl group, or a phenyl-(C 1-20 )alkyl group, or both combine at the end thereof to form an alkylene group having 4 to 7 carbon atoms. A process according to claim 1, wherein said heterocyclic group is a member selected from the group consisting of a group of the formula: wherein X 1 is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, Y 1 is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a methylene group or an imino group substituted by a C 1-20 alkyl group or a phenyl group, and R 11 , R 12 , R 13 and R 14 are the same or different and each a hydrogen atom, a C 1-5 alkyl group, a cyano group, a (C 1-20 alkyl)oxycarbonyl group, a phenyl-(C 1-20 )alkyl group, or a phenyl group, or R 11 and R 12 combine together to form a C 2-6 alkylene chain, and simultaneously or independently, R 13 and R 14 combine together to form a C 2-6 alkylene chain; and a group of the formula: wherein X is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, Y is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a protected or unprotected imino group, or a methylene group, Z 1 and Z 2 are the same or different and each a hydrogen atom, a C 1-20 alkyl group, a C 3-8 cycloalkyl group, a phenyl group, or a phenyl(C 1-20 )alkyl group, or both combine at the end thereof to form an alkylene group having 4 to 7 carbon atoms, and Ring A is a benzene ring which may have a substituent selected from the group consisting of a halogen, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 1-6 alkoxy group and a phenyl group. A process according to claim 1, wherein said hetrocyclic group is a group of the formula: wherein X is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, Y is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a protected or unprotected imino group, or a methylene group, Z 1 and Z 2 are the same or different and each a hydrogen atom, a C 1-20 alkyl group, a C 3-8 cycloalkyl group, a phenyl group, or a phenyl-(C 1-20 )alkyl group, or both combine at the end thereof to form an alkylene group having 4 to 7 carbon atoms, and Ring A is a benzene ring which may have a substituent selected from the group consisting of a halogen, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 1-6 alkoxy group and a phenyl group. A process according to claim 1, wherein said heterocyclic group is a group of the formula: wherein Ring B is a benzene ring which may have a substituent selected from the group consisting of a halogen, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 1-6 alkoxy group and a phenyl group, X is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, Y is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a protected or unprotected imino group, or a methylene group, Z 1 and Z 2 are the same or different and each a C 1-20 alkyl group, a C 3-8 cycloalkyl group, a phenyl group, or a phenyl-(C 1-20 )alkyl group, or both combine at the end thereof to form an alkylene group having 4 to 7 carbon atoms. A process according to claim 1, wherein said heterocyclic group is a member selected from the group consisting of 2,2-dimethyl-4-oxo-2,3-diydro-4H-1,3-benzoxadin-3-yl; 2,2-diethyl-4-oxo-2,3-diydro-4H-1,3-benzoxadin-3-yl; 2,2-diisopropyl-4-oxo-2,3-diydro-4H-1,3-benzoxadin-3-yl; 2,2-di-n-butyl-4-oxo-2,3-diydro-4H-1,3-benzoxadin-3-yl; spiro[4-oxo-2,3-diydro-4H-1,3-benzoxadin-2,1'-cyclohexan]-3-yl; 2,2-dimethyl-4-thioxo-2,3-diydro-4H-1,3-benzoxadin-3-yl; spiro[4-thioxo-2,3-diydro-4H-1,3-benzoxadin-2,1'-cyclohexan]-3-yl; and spiro{4-oxo-2,3-diydro-4H-1,3-benzothiazin-2,1'-cyclohexan]-3-yl. The compound according to claim 2, wherein Y is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, Z 1 and Z 2 are the same or different and each a C 1-20 alkyl group, a C 4-7 cycloalkyl group, a phenyl group, or a phenyl-(C 1-6 )alkyl group, or both combine at the end thereof to form an alkylene group having 4 to 7 carbon atoms. The compound according to claim 2, wherein Ring B is an unsubstituted benzene ring, X is an oxygen atom, Y is an oxygen atom, and Z 1 and Z 2 are the same or different and each a C 1-20 alkyl group, or both combine at the ends thereof to form an alkylene group having 4 to 7 carbon atoms. A process according to claim 1, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the base has enough basicity to make an enolate by removing a hydrogen atom at the α-position of said alkanamide compound of the formula (I), A process according to claim 1, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the base is lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide or sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide.

Inventors: IWASAKI TAMEO, KONDO KAZUHIKO, OHMIZU HIROSHI, IWASAKI, TAMEO, KONDO, KAZUHIKO, OHMIZU, HIROSHI, OHMIZU, HIROSHI, NO. 2-308, MIBUBOJO-DAINIDANCHI
Applicants: TANABE SEIYAKU CO, TANABE SEIYAKU CO., LTD.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: C07D205
IPC codes: C07D279, C07D477, C07D265, C07D205, C07D239, C07D217, C07F7